Warning signal



March 2, 1937. L. E. JOHNSON ET AL 2,072,305

WARN ING S IGNAL Filed June 27, 8 s Sheets-Sheet 1 WIT $5,v

March 2, 1937. L. E. JOHNSON ET AL WARN ING S IGNAL Filed June 27, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nl/ENTOR March 2, 1937. L. E. JOHNSON ET AL 2,072,305

WARN ING S IGNAL Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARNIN G SIGNAL Application June 27, 1928, Serial No. 288,636

Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in warning signals.

The main object of the invention is the production of an improved warning signal of pleasing and efiective tone characteristics, and including the automatic production of a plurality of successive tones of varying pitch, and if desired of varying amplitude, preferably resulting in a succession of harmonious tones highly ef- 10 fective in attracting the attention of one to be warned.

Other objects and advantages relate to the structure of the apparatus and the details of the same, whereby the main object is accomplished, all as will more fully appear from the following description taken .in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an elevation of a warning signal of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through one of the air resonant devices showing the cam-actu-' ated valve for controlling the flow of air, taken on line 5-5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 omitting the associated air resonant devices taken on line 1-1; Figure ,4. A

Figure 8 is a section similar to Figure 7 taken on line 8-8, Figure 4. Q

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of suitable circuits for the motor and automatic contactdevices.

The structure as liere illustrated comprises three air resonant devices of identical construction except for the shape of the projectors i, 2, and 3 which are here shown of different lengths so as to produce tones of diflerent pitch. These projectors may be of any suitable form to produce notes of desired amplitude and pitch, and any number of air resonant devices may be utilized.

Each air resonant device comprises in connection with the horn body I a tubular boss I in which the rear end of the respective projector is secured as by threaded relation. A tube 6 is secured in any suitable manner within a shouldered portion of the boss 5 as by a press-fit, and

as shown, is aligned with the respective projector and projects rearwardly from the boss 5 and its exterior diameter is slightly less than the interior diameter of the boss so as to form an an- 5 nular passageway surrounding the tube.

Further, the boss 5 has a circumferentially enlarged intermediate portion forming an annular chamber 1 surrounding tube 6 and this chamber is in communication with the respective one of the passageways 8, 9, and i0 leading through the 5 horn body and in communication with the air storage chamber ll hereinafter more particularly described.

The rear end of boss 5 is interiorly enlarged with respect tothe front end, and is threaded 10 for the reception of an exteriorly threaded tubular boss l2 formed concentrically at the base of. a cup-shaped member 13 constituting the front wall of a diaphragm chamber. The boss l2 maybe locked in any desired position. with 15 respect to boss 5, as by means of a lock-nut ll. The internal diameter of the boss.|2 is somewhat greater than the external diameter of the tube 6 so as to form an annular passageway around the tube 6 leading from chamber 1 to the interior of the cup-shape member IS.

The annular wall of the cup-shape member i3 is externally threaded for cooperative engagement with the interiorly threaded flange upon a cup-shape cap I 5 and this cap i5 is adapted 25 to clamp between its end and the rear edge of the cup-shape member l3 a thin flexible metallic diaphragm It. The size and arrangement of the parts is such that when the diaphragm I6 is positioned, as described, it extends across and nor- 0 mally closes the rear open end or mouth of tube 6 and preferably the rear open end of tube 6 is somewhat flared, as indicated.

It is found that the air in the chamber between diaphragm' l6 and cap I5 varies in pres- 5 sure somewhat in accordance with the temperature to which the device is subjected, thereby varying the pressureupon the diaphragm it which in turn aiiects the operation of' the signaling device, and in order to maintain the device 40 uniform in operation, the cap I5 is provided with one or more openings I! to permit the entrance of air or the exit of air to or from the interior space.

The horn body 4 rests upon and is secured to a pump casing IS in any suitable manner, as by screws or the like, and this pump casing, as shown, is of substantially circular form and is provided with an eccentrically positioned pump cylinder i9 having an inlet 20 in its base and an 50 outlet 2! in its side wall leading to the storage chamber ll disposed at one side of the pump cylinder IS. A rotor 22 including suitable blades 23 is positioned in the pump cylinder I 9 and its rotor shaft is keyed or otherwise movably secured for endwise movement to the armature shaft 24 of an ordinary motor A including the usual armature 26, field coils 21 and pole pieces 28.

v The U-shaped motor frame 29 is secured in any suitable manner, as by screws 30 to the flanges 3| formed integrally with the pump casing I8.

In the particular embodiment here illustrated which includes three air resonant devices, the pump casing is formed with a similar number of passageways 3|, 32, and 33 leading respectively to the passageways 8, 9, and lo, the respective valves 34, 35, and 36 controlling communication between the storage chamber H and the respective conduits or passageways 3|, 32, and 33. Normally, the valves 34, 35, and 36 are held closed to prevent the passage of air under pressure from the storage chamber to the respective air resonant device, as by means of the springs 31, 38, and 39 respectively.

In order to operate the valves 34, 35, and 36 in succession or in a pre-determined order, to cause actuation of the air resonant devices in pre-determined succession, the armature 24 is formed with a worm 40 meshing with a worm gear 4i secured to a counter-shaft 42 journaled in adjustable bearings in the flanges 3i so that rotation of the armature shaft will effect continued simultaneous rotation of the counter-shaft d2.

Mounted upon the counter-shaft 52 are a series of cams ts, M, and adapted for contact respectively with the lower ends of the stems of the valves 3d, 35, and so that upon rotation of counter-shaft 12, these cams in accordance with their particular disposition and arrangement, will successively or in pre-deterinined order, elevate the respective valve against the action of its respective spring to open communication between the air storage chamber ii and the respective air resonant device to cause the production or a pro-determined signal and the production of a succession of varied tones in predetermined order.

As here illustrated, the cam GS is a double cars so that during each revolution it will elevate or open the valve 3 3 twice during each revolution. In the particular illustration here shown, the order of operation is as follows:-

Cain 1-5 is so disposed upon shaft 32- that it opcrates-to open valve 36 shortly after the shaft G2 starts to rotate from a normal position. Ihis valve remains open only momentarily and is then closed by its spring 3t, whereupon cam 68 opens the valve 34 and this valve remains open momentarily and is then closed by its spring 39.

Immediately thereafter, cam it opens valve 35 and this valve remains open momentarily and then closes, whereupon cam due to its double nature, again opens the valve 36 and thereafter valve Si l closes. In this manner four successive notes are produced by the respective air resonant devices, one of which devices is operated twice at spaced intervals.

It will be obvious, however, that any desired arrangement or order of actuation of the air resonant devices may be provided for.

In order to stop the operation of the apparatus after one complete rotation of counter-shaft G2, a dish M .is provided mounted for rotation with shaft 42 in any suitable manner, as upon a boss extending from the worm gear 4i and this disk is provided with a flattened surface, perhaps best shown in Figures 6 and 9, for cooperation with a spring-bar 6| carrying contact 62. This spring-bar, as well as its cooperating bar 63 may be mounted in any suitable manner insulated from each other, as for instance by screws 64 securing the bars to a portion of the pump casing in such a manner that the bar 6| is adapted to ride upon the periphery of disk 60.

Normally bar BI is tensioned downwardly so that contact 62 is spaced from contact 64 mounted on the bar 63 when bar 6| rests in normal position upon the flattened portion of the periphery of the disk 60.

When counter-shaft 42 is rotated, the rotation of disk immediately elevates bar BI and brings the contacts 62 and 64 together to close an electric circuit including the electric motor of the device, and this condition will be maintained during one revolution of counter-shaft 42 and until the flattened portion of the periphery of disk 60 again comes to the position shown in Figures 6 and 9 where the tension or" spring-bar 6| will separate the contacts.

In operation, any suitable circuits may be utilized, as for instance those shown in Figure 9 in which motor A is connected in circuit with a source of potential, as battery B, and switch 0 being provided for closing the circuit manually. In addition, a circuit is provided which electrically connects the two bars 6i and 63 and their contacts 62 and 64, such circuits shunting the switch C so that when contacts t2 and 64 are brought together, the circuit through the motor A is closed, irrespective of the position of manual switch C. The operation will be readily understood in that the operator merely closes switch C, whereupon the armature of the motor begins to rotate. Immediately upon its rotation, contacts 62 and (it are brought together, and altho switch C is allowed to open, the motor will continue to operate until the flattened portion of the periphery of dish Gil again comes to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9, at which time the circuit is broken and the motor stops.

In order to assist stopping the motor against its natural momentum when in motion, all of the valves 34, S5, and are closed by their springs just before he flattened tion or the edge of dislr. 60 comes to the on shotm in Figure 6, where the circuit s broken, with the result that there is no outle" the air from the storage chamber M and the resultant haclr pressure produced reacts upon the rotor 22.? stop rotation of the rotor, and the armature of the motor practically instantaneously.

In order to start operation of the device a sec- 0nd time, it is again necessary for the operator to close the switch C to initiate motor operation, whereupon the operation is automatic during one complete rotation of counter-shaft 4 2. The usual push-button switches utilized, as switch C, are provided with springs which hreal: the circuit upon the release of manual pressure and with such a switch in the circuits shown, contacts 62 and ti l act to complete the circuit during one rotation of the counter-shait if switch C is allowed to open after initiating motor operation.

Altho we have shown and described a speciflc structure including three air resonant devices, and particular details of an apparatus for operation therewith, and for effecting such operation in definite order, we do not desire to restrict ourselves to any number of air-resonant devices or to any definite order of their operation, or to the details or" the structure by which such operation is effected, as various and many changes may be made in each and all of the same without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim: 3

1. A warning signal comprising a pump body, a plurality of air resonant devices supported thereon, an air compressor and an air storage chamber in the pump body adapted to receive air from the compressor, conduits leading from the air storage chamber to respective air resonant devices, valves in the pump body controlling the fiow of air through the conduits, means for normally maintaining the valves closed, supporting means projecting from the pump body, a countershaft journalled in the supporting means and a plurality of cams mounted on said shaft for actuating the valves in predetermined order, a motor carried by the supporting means for driving said countershaft and said compressor, the axis of the armature shaft of the motor being normal to the axis of the countershaft, and means mounted on the countershaft for making and breaking the motor circuit.

2. A warning signal comprising a pump body, a plurality of air resonant devices supported thereon, an air compressor and an air storage chamber in the pump body adapted to receive air from the compressor, conduits leading from the air storage chamber to respective air resonant devices, valves in the pump body controlling the flow of air through the conduits, means, for normally maintaining the valves closed, supporting means projecting from the pump body, a countershaft journaled in the supporting means and a plurality of cams mounted on said shaft for actuating the valves in predetermined order, one of said cams being adapted to actuate a valve a plurality of times during one cycle oi. operation of the countershaft, a motor carried by the supporting means for driving said countershaft and said compressor, the axis of the armature shaft of the motor being normal to the axis of the countershaft, and means mounted on the countershaft for making and breaking the m0- tor circuit.

3. A warning signal of the air-operated type comprising a body member including a source of air under pressure a. plurality of air resonant devices supported, thereon, separate means of communication between each of the air resonant devices and the source of compressed air, a driving shaft to produce the air pressure, supporting means projecting from the body member, a countershaft disposed at substantially right angles to the driving shaft and journalled in the supporting means, driving connections between the two shafts, separate valves in the body memher for controlling communication between the source of compressed air and the several air resonant devices, said valves each being associated with a separate operating rod, which rods extend substantially parallel with the driving shaft, a plurality of cams, equal in number to the operating rods and mounted on the countershaft for rotation therewith and movable in paths intersecting respective valve stems for moving said valves to open position in predetermined succession, and means carried by the supporting means for rotating the driving shaft.

4. A signaling device comprising a body having a pump chamber formed therein, a plurality of air resonant devices mounted on said body and having separate means of communication with said pump chamber, a pumping element in said chamber supporting means projecting from the body, an electric motor secured to said supportclosed.

5. A signaling device comprising a body member having a pump chamber formed therein, a plurality of air resonant devices mounted on said body, separate means of communication between the pump chamber and the respective air resonant devices, a pumping element in said chamber, an electric motor having its armature shaft connected to said pumping element, means for securing the electric motor to said body member, separate valves for controlling communication between the respective air resonant devices and the pumping chamber, a countershaft, bearings for'said countershaft, means for securing said bearings to the pump body, driving connection between said countershaft and said armature shaft, separate cam elements mounted on said countershaft and adapted to open said valves in predetermined sequence during rotation of said countershaft, and spring means for normally maintaining the valves closed.

6. AJsignaling device comprising a body member having a pump chamber formed therein, a plurality ,of air resonant devices mounted on said body, separate means of communication between the pump chamber and the respective air resonant devices, a pumping element in said chamber, an electric motor having its armature shaft connected to said pumping element, means for securing the electric motor to said body member including a frame structure, separate valves for controlling communication between the respective air resonant devices and the pumping chamber, a countershaft, bearings for said countershaft supported in said frame structure, driving connection between said countershaft and said armature shaft, separate cam elements mounted on said countershaft and adapted to open said valves in predetermined sequence during the rotation of said countershaft, and spring means for normally maintaining the valves closed.

7. In a warning signal for automobiles, an air resonant device, means comprising a motor for supplying air to said resonant device to produce a warning signal, control means for stopping operation of said motor and means comprising a valve element associated with the air supply means for cutting off the air supply to said air resonant device before said motor is stopped, whereby a back-pressure of air is created to aid in stopping said motor.

8. In a warning signal for automobiles, a plurality of air resonant devices, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices in predetermined sequence comprising a plurality of valve elements, cam members for operating said air supply means and elements, motor means for operating said cam members and control means operative at a predetermined position of said cam members for automatically stopping the operation of the motor when all of the valves are in the closed position whereby a back-pressure of air is created to aid in stopping the motor.

a warning signal for automobiles, a it 1 f resonant devices, means for s" a1 c said. resonant devices in or edeterlnl. sequence com; rising a plurality of valve elem motor ant valve actuating means operatively connected with the motor for moving said valves into and out of th closed position, an elec to circuit for operating said motor having a control switch therein, and means actuated by the motor for automatically opening said switch to stop the motor when all the valves are in a closed posttion whereby a back pressure or air is created to aid in stopping the motor.

it. A warning signal, comprisin a pump body, a plurality of air resonant devices supported thereon, an air compressor and a storage chamher in the pump body, adapted to receive air from the compressor, conduits leading from the air 

